Cupcakes saved money for the baker

3:25 PM,
Apr. 22, 2014

Written by

Erica Pappas
Correspondent

The original "cup cakes" weren't the little one-serving treats we think of today. The term used to describe a regular-sized cake with a recipe calling for ingredients measured in cups - hence the title of "cup cake."

Food historians have struggled to find the official origin of the individual "cupcake" as we know it today, as early recipes were largely passed on by word-of-mouth. However, one American recipe dated in 1796 calls for cakes made in small cups, so we do know people were making today's "cupcakes" as early as the 18th century. ...